Special update Extreme Weather Fire Behavior anticipated

Related Incident: Hermits Peak Fire

Publication Type: Announcement Thu, 04/21/2022 - 12:00

The National Weather Service has issued a extreme weather warning. There is high confidence that a widespread extreme and catastrophic fire weather event will occur on Friday, April 22nd. Strong damaging winds will directly impact firefighting efforts on the Calf Canyon Fire and hinder response to any new fire starts that may occur due to the extreme weather conditions.
We are urging the public to stay vigilant, to continue to watch for expected changes in evacuation status and be prepared to leave in a rapid manner. Due to high winds debris, powerlines and trees may block egress in many areas. Roads will likely become congested with traffic leaving the area. Visibility will be reduced due to smoke and dust over the roadways. Shelters continue to be available in Las Vegas, NM at the Old Memorial Middle School. Updated information is available on the Sheriff San Miguel Facebook page, InciWeb, and the Santa Fe National Forest Facebook page.

SFNF Implements Stage 2 Fire Restrictions 225 pm April 21

Related Incident: Hermits Peak Fire

Publication Type: Closures Thu, 04/21/2022 - 12:00

Forest Service News Release

Santa Fe National Forest11 Forest Lane, Santa Fe, NM 87508Website | Facebook | Twitter

Media Contact: Julie Anne Overton

505-414-6438

SM.FS.sfnfpao@usda.gov

SFNF Implements Stage 2 Fire Restrictions

SANTA FE, NM – April 21, 2022 – Based on recent wildfire activity and persistent severe fire weather conditions, the Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF) will implement forest-wide Stage 2 fire restrictions at 8 a.m. tomorrow, Friday, April 22, to reduce the risk of human-caused wildfires.Forest managers use several criteria to determine when to implement restrictions, including current and predicted weather, fuel moisture, fire activity levels and available firefighting resources. Stage 2 fire restrictions prohibit the following activities on the SFNF:

Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire or stove fire.

Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site, or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is cleared vegetation and flammable material.

Blasting, welding, or operating an acetylene or other torch with open flame.

Using an explosive of any kind. (Fireworks and other pyrotechnic devices are always prohibited on national forests.)

Operating any equipment powered by an internal combustion engine, including chainsaws, between the hours of 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Driving off designated roads. Visitors may park in areas cleared of vegetation within 10 feet of the roadway, or in designated parking areas.

Visitors may use stoves, grills and lanterns fueled by propane or other liquid petroleum gas (LPG) fuels that meet manufacturer’s safety specifications. If you plan to visit the forest, be sure to practice One Less Spark vehicle safety guidelines by securing chains, checking tire pressure and properly maintaining your brakes.

All SFNF offices will proceed with virtual sales of 2022 personal-use fuelwood permits on May 2. However, fuelwood permit holders will be required to observe the so-called “hoot owl” provision in the order that prohibits the use of a chainsaw between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Historically, the term was used to notify woodcutters they could only cut during the morning hours when they could hear owls in the forest. Today, the restriction reduces the risk of an accidental fire start by mechanical equipment during the hottest, driest part of the day.

Stage 2 fire restrictions are a proactive way to reduce the risk of human-caused wildfires, protect natural and cultural resources, and enhance public and firefighter safety. Forest visitors are asked to use extreme caution when fire restrictions are in place. Violations are punishable as a Class B misdemeanor by a fine of not more than $5,000 for individuals and $10,000 for organizations and/or by imprisonment for not more than six months. The fire restrictions are in place until Dec. 31, 2022, unless rescinded earlier.

Federal, state and local officers and members of an organized rescue team or firefighting force are exempt from the closure order.

The fire restrictions closure order is posted under Alerts and Notices on the SFNF website. Stay up to date on SFNF closures and other news by checking the SFNF website and following us on Facebook and Twitter.

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Hermits Peak Fire Update 1025 am April 21

Related Incident: Hermits Peak Fire

Publication Type: News Thu, 04/21/2022 - 12:00

Precautionary measures on the Hermits Peak Fire

April 21, 2022, Daily Update, 10:00AM

Acres: 7,573 acres

Start Date: April 6, 2022

Cause: Multiple spot fires spread beyond the prescribed fire project boundary

Containment: 91%

Total personnel: 358

Location: Approx. 12 miles northwest of Las Vegas, NM, Pecos/Las Vegas Ranger District, Hermits Peak/Pecos Wilderness

Fuels: Mixed conifer

Highlights: Despite aggressive winds Wednesday, crews were very successful in further containment of the fire to 91%. Crews will stay vigilant in the upcoming critical fire weather days. Team 1 is assisting the Calf Canyon Fire with resources. The team had a virtual community meeting last night for the Hermit’s Peak and Calf Canyon Fires. It was recorded and can be viewed on the Santa Fe National Forest Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/santafeNF. The safety of firefighters and the public remains our number one priority. Please slow down on the roads and use caution when encountering firefighters and equipment.

Operations: A slight decrease in winds will ease the fire behavior today, and expectations are for some interior smoldering but not much activity or growth. Focus will remain on the northwest side with containment and continued suppression repair, including seeding areas where handline has been dug. It is an important day for crews to get prepared for tomorrow’s dynamic critical weather system coming in. Along the southeast portion of the fire, a couple more days of work is all that remains as crews continue to secure, monitor and evaluate suppression repair needs. In San Ignacio along the NM 266 corridor, crews continue to put hose and equipment in place out of an overabundance of caution for the potential for growth on the Calf Canyon Fire.

Evacuations: All evacuation statuses are current and valid. Traffic into affected communities is restricted to residents only. The San Miguel County Sheriff’s Office continues to evaluate the situation and utilize the Ready, Set, Go! system. Information and details on evacuation orders are available on the San Miguel County Sheriff’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/smcso.nm.

Weather: Today is a Red Flag day with warm, dry, and breezy conditions and southwest winds of 15-20 mph expected, with occasional gusts over 30 mph and climbing temperatures. Tomorrow afternoon brings a critical wind event with extremely high wind speeds and 55-70 mph gusts expected, along with the highest temperatures of the season. A cold front is expected next week.

Restrictions: The Santa Fe National Forest has issued a closure order to protect public health and safety during fire operations on the Hermits Peak Fire. The full closure order and map are available at https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/santafe/home. The Santa Fe National Forest expects to implement Stage II fire restrictions soon. A temporary flight restriction (TFR) is in place, which includes unmanned aircraft, or drones. The TFR has been expanded to include the area around the Calf Canyon Fire. More information on the dangers drones pose to wildland firefighting aircraft and personnel on the ground can be found at: www.nifc.gov/drones.

Smoke: Smoke in the El Porvenir area will continue from the Calf Canyon Fire. Strong winds and blowing dust will impact the area. Brief periods of reduced visibilities may be encountered along NM 518, especially during the evening and nighttime hours between Las Vegas, Sapello, and Storrie Lake State Parkdue to smoke and blowing dust. Please exercise caution if traveling. Smoke-sensitive individuals and people with respiratory problems or heart disease are encouraged to take precautionary measures. An interactive smoke map at https://fire.airnow.gov/ allows you to zoom into your area to see the latest smoke conditions.

Future Fire Information: The Hermits Peak Fire Information office hours are 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM. The phone number for Information is 505-398-1151. The email address is 2022.hermitspeak@firenet.gov. Future fire information will continue to be posted on Inciweb, the SFNF Facebook and Twitter, SFNF website, and New Mexico Fire Information website

Smoke Outlook 815 am April 21

Related Incident: Hermits Peak Fire

Publication Type: News Thu, 04/21/2022 - 12:00

May be an image of map

San Miguel Evacuation Update 325 pm April 20

Related Incident: Hermits Peak Fire

Publication Type: Closures Wed, 04/20/2022 - 12:00

Aviso de viento y condiciones secas en el incendio Hermits Peak 20 de abril

Related Incident: Hermits Peak Fire

Publication Type: News Wed, 04/20/2022 - 12:00

Aviso de viento y condiciones secas en el incendio Hermits Peak
20 de abril de 2022 Actualización diaria
Acres: 7,573 acres

Fecha de inicio: 6 de abril de 2022Causa: Múltiples incendios puntuales se propagaron más allá de los límites del proyecto de incendios prescrito.Contención: 81%Personal total: 460Localización: aproximadamente 12 millas al noroeste de Las Vegas, NM, Distrito de guardabosques Pecos/Las Vegas, Hermits Peak/ Zona Silvestre PecosCombustibles: Conífera mixta Reflejos: Con los fuertes vientos, la extinción y la contención del incendio Hermits Peak permanece el enfoque. La región suroeste ahora se eleva a un nivel de preparación de 4. Los bomberos y la seguridad publica siguen siendo nuestra prioridad numero uno. Hubo un nuevo incendio, Calf Canyon, el martes en Upper Gallinas. Equipo 1 apoyo el fuego con dos grupos de bomberos. El número de teléfono del incendio Hermits Peak ha cambiado y también es el numero para llamar para obtener información sobre el incendio Calf Canyon. El nuevo número de teléfono es 505-398-1151. Operaciones: La construcción y el refuerzo de las líneas de contención en el borde noreste del incendio seguirán siendo el enfoque hoy, al igual que la búsqueda de posibles signos de calor o humo, con el potencial de un comportamiento extremo del fuego. Los vientos extremos y el terreno empinado han sido difíciles. No hay humo en el lado norte del fuego. Nuestras líneas se mantienen, y las cuadrillas continúan patrullando y limpiando el área. La reparación de supresión también está en curso. Los bomberos siguen sacando equipo y mangueras cercas de las casas. Los bomberos que subieron a la cima de Hermits Peak ayer extinguieron con éxito los puntos calientes cerca del comienzo del sendero y construyeron líneas de contención y regresaron al campo anoche. Los bomberos se centran en suprimir el incendio Hermits Peak de la manera mas rápida y segura posible, protegiendo las comunidades cercanas. Debido al viento extremo, no podemos utilizar los aviones. Evacuaciones: Todos los estados de evacuación son actuales y válidos. El trafico hacia las comunidades afectadas están restringidos solo a los residentes. La Oficina del Sheriff del Condado de San Miguel continúa evaluando la situación y utiliza el sistema Ready, Set, ¡Go! Mas información y detalles sobre las ordenes de evacuación estarán disponibles en la página de Facebook del Sheriff del Condado de San Miguel en https://www.facebook.com/smcso.nm. Clima: Los fuertes vientos se harán presentes hoy y las temperaturas siguen subiendo. Se emito un aviso de viento y una advertencia de bandera roja para hoy, con ráfagas de hasta 50 mph. Se espera que las condiciones climáticas criticas para incendios persistan durante el resto de la semana. El viernes traerá el próximo gran evento de viento y sistema posiblemente junto con las temperaturas más cálidas en lo que va de temporada. Restricciones: El Bosque Nacional Santa Fe ha emitido una orden de cierre para proteger la salud y la seguridad pública durante las operaciones del incendio Hermits Peak. La orden de cierre entera y el mapa están disponibles en https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/santafe/home. Hay una restricción de vuelo temporal (TFR) sobre el área de Gallinas Canyon y Calf Canyon, que incluye aviones no tripulados o drones. Puede encontrar más información sobre los peligros que representan los drones para las aeronaves de extinción de incendios forestales y el personal en tierra en: www.nifc.gov/drones. Humo: El aumento del humo y la neblina hoy con un nuevo incendio en el área, junto con el polvo que sopla debido a los vientos muy fuertes, afectara la cálida del aire, Se puede encontrar periodos breves de visibilidad reducida a lo largo de NM 518, especialmente durante las horas de la tarde y la noche entre Las Vegas, Sapello y Storrie Lake. Tenga cuidado si viaja, Se recomienda a las personas sensibles al humo y a las personas con problemas respiratorios a enfermedades cardiacas que tome medidas de precaución. Un mapa de humo interactivo en https://fire.airnow.gov/ le permite acercarse a su área para ver las ultimas condiciones de humo. Información sobre incendios futuros: El horario de la oficina de información para el incendio Hermits Peak (8:00 AM – 8:00 PM), el número de teléfono (505-398-1151), y la dirección de correo electrónico (2022.hermitspeak@firenet.gov) La información futura sobre incendios seguirá publicados en Inciweb el SFNF Facebook y Twitter, SFNF website, y New Mexico Fire Information website.

Hermits Peak Fire Update 1130 am April 20

Related Incident: Hermits Peak Fire

Publication Type: News Wed, 04/20/2022 - 12:00

Wind advisory and dry conditions on Hermits Peak Fire
April 20, 2022, Daily Update, 10:00AM

Acres: 7,573 acres

Start Date: April 6, 2022

Cause: Multiple spot fires spread beyond the prescribed fire project boundary

Containment: 81%

Total personnel: 460

Location: Approx. 12 miles northwest of Las Vegas, NM, Pecos/Las Vegas Ranger District, Hermits Peak/Pecos Wilderness

Fuels: Mixed conifer

Highlights: With the high winds today, firefighting crews will stay focused on the Hermit’s Peak Fire and holding containment. The Southwest Region is now elevated to a Preparedness Level of 4. Firefighter and public safety remain our number one priority. There was a new fire start on Tuesday in Upper Gallinas, the Calf Canyon Fire. Team 1 supported the fire with two task forces. The phone number for the Hermits Peak Fire has been changed and is also the number to call for information on the Calf Canyon Fire. The new phone number is 505-398-1151.

Operations: Building and reinforcing containment lines on the northeast edge of the fire continues to be the focus today, along with looking for any potential signs of heat or smoke, with the potential for extreme fire behavior. Extreme winds and steep terrain have been difficult. There is no smoke on the north side of the fire. Our lines are holding, and crews continue to patrol and mop up the area. Suppression repair is also ongoing. Crews will continue removing equipment and hose lines near homes. The firefighters that hiked to the top of Hermits Peak yesterday successfully extinguished the hot spots near the trailhead, built containment and hiked off the peak last night. Resources are focused on suppressing the Hermits Peak Fire as quickly and safely as possible, protecting nearby communities. Due to the extreme wind, we cannot utilize air resources.

Evacuations: All evacuation statuses are current and valid. Traffic into affected communities is restricted to residents only. The San Miguel County Sheriff’s Office continues to evaluate the situation and utilize the Ready, Set, Go! system. Information and details on evacuation orders are available on the San Miguel County Sheriff’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/smcso.nm

Weather: Strong winds will be present today and temperatures will continue to rise. A wind advisory and Red Flag warning have been issued for today, with gusts to 50 mph. Critical fire weather conditions are expected to persist for the remainder of the week. Friday will bring the next big system and wind event, potentially along with the warmest temperatures so far this season.

Restrictions: The Santa Fe National Forest has issued a closure order to protect public health and safety during fire operations on the Hermits Peak Fire. The full closure order and map are available at https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/santafe/home. A temporary flight restriction (TFR) is in place, which includes unmanned aircraft, or drones. The TFR has been expanded to absorb Gallinas and the area around the Calf Canyon Fire. More information on the dangers drones pose to wildland firefighting aircraft and personnel on the ground can be found at: www.nifc.gov/drones.

Smoke: Increasing smoke and haze today with a new fire in the area, along with blowing dust due to very high winds, will affect air quality. Brief periods of reduced visibilities may be encountered along NM 518, especially during the evening and nighttime hours between Las Vegas, Sapello, and Storrie Lake. Please exercise caution if travelling. Smoke-sensitive individuals and people with respiratory problems or heart disease are encouraged to take precautionary measures. An interactive smoke map at https://fire.airnow.gov/ allows you to zoom into your area to see the latest smoke conditions.

Future Fire Information: The Hermits Peak Fire Information office hours are 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM. The new phone number for Information is 505-398-1151. The email address is 2022.hermitspeak@firenet.gov. Future fire information will continue to be posted on Inciweb, the SFNF Facebook and Twitter, SFNF website, and New Mexico Fire Information website.

Virtual Community Meeting Today 6 pm April 20

Related Incident: Hermits Peak Fire

Publication Type: Announcement Wed, 04/20/2022 - 12:00

There will be a virtual community meeting today April 20th at 6:00PM. Subject matter experts, local officials, and members of the Southwest Incident Management Team will give an update on current fire conditions here at https://www.facebook.com/santafeNF

Virtual Community Meeting- April 20, 2022